Last year, I got an invitation to attend the ’62 class reunion from Ken Young. With a promise of great food, live music and one close-knit group of classmates, my trusty assistant Camila Donoso and I drive out to the luxurious golf club.

Waiting for my arrival is Ken, or Kenny as he will be called all night. He’s 6-feet-2-inches, well dressed and the true definition of a Southern gentlemen. Kenny introduces me to photo enthusiast Billy Eyler, a Canon 5D Mark II man who absolutely loves his camera!

As we walk in the massive ballroom filled to capacity with long buffet lines, I ask Kenny to introduce me to Charles Varner, a retired engineer who helped organize this massive event. Charles and I had spoken a few times in the past year and I wanted to make sure I got a great picture of him with his wife, Cookie.

Next I am introduced to one of the many “characters” of the Class of ‘62 — Leiston Shuman. I have never met a guy name Leiston before and I will definitely not forget this guy. As he tells me about his love for saltwater fishing, I hear someone mention how virile he is — the conversation pauses, and his wife Mary Jane laughs and smiles.

I am going to skip the next couple of comments to pose the lively couple and then follow Kenny over to get a pic with his gorgeous wife, Pam. The Calvary Day School teacher looks entirely too young to be retired and makes me giggle when she admits that she thought I was blonde.

After a quick pic of Sue Harrin, Robert Weil and Marty Embry, I head over to take a photo of Mike Reynolds and Leif Ragnaldsen, part of The Rogue’s. Next I meet Sarah Lynn and her husband, Moses, who is “irresponsible for the official SHS 1962 Reunion T-shirts.”

Standing in the buffet line are Ned and Susan Becker, a tall blonde photographer for Becker Brothers Photography that I have run into for the past two years at the 200 Club’s Savannah Mile. While chatting with the couple of 46 years, Camila and I insist on sampling the prime rib and fresh veggies before heading out to say hello to a face from the automotive past, Lee West.

Now the service director at Savannah Hyundai, Lee and I chat about the unbelievable quality and style of the Genesis, one of the newest vehicles in their surprisingly luxurious car line. After I apologize to his wife Ferrell (love her name!) as she waits patiently for us to finish talking car stuff, I see one of Savannah’s most handsome men waving me over.

Mike Dobbs is in the house! Tall, athletic and having a 60-inch arm span that helped the all-star center with basketball and the ladies — it is the ladies that he is insisting on having a photo with. Although his wife Marlene “knows where he is” — four close lady friends from his class, Mary Sims Larson, Sandy Ellis, Nancy Sutlive and Betsy Haven are only happy to pose with a guy I admire for his involvement with the 200 Club, the Quarterback Club and the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame.

Another well-known sports guy is the fabulous Larry Thompson. I am now a fan of the surprisingly modest owner of Thompson Sporting Goods, a 2011 GSAHF inductee and University of Georgia alumnus. We chat as I attempt to get a picture of his petite wife Suzanne with three vivacious friends — let’s just say that interrupting four cheerleaders isn’t easy!

After I wrangle the ladies into one of the best pics of the night, I see Michelle Keller, the “momma” of our old family New South Café. After a huge hug and an update on her family, she reminds of her sister Beth Miller’s fundraiser at Coach’s Corner next week for medical bills to help her battle a brain tumor.

On that sad note, I head back inside to watch a poignant “In Memoriam” slideshow to honor students who have passed. I then head over to meet the most outgoing group of the night — Billy and Gail Burkharter, Bill and Barbara Mordecai and Pat and Paul Ewaldsen — the real estate owners of The Landings Co. Attractive and social, Paul tells me the three men went from elementary to high school together, had been in each other’s weddings and remain in touch. Awesome!

Pulling myself away from this charismatic group, I snap a quick pic of bass singer Ron Lusk and then chat with friendly former legal secretary Linda Jones before heading out into the lobby for a battery refill.

In the lobby looking lovely and petite, Jo Ann Tindol poses with her husband Earl and brother-in-law Rick, who I learn was the ’62 Student Council vice president. As a CPA and one of the 25 committee members responsible for creating this successful celebration, Rick is the perfect person to fill me in the details about this close class.

“We had over 500 graduating students and tonight we have our biggest turnout with 248 classmates, spouses and guests with us ... enjoyed Johnny Harris and the Jukebox Journey at the Savannah Theatre,” says the loving family man.

Rick’s words tell you what you can’t see — that this unreserved positive clan of friends have prospered, supported and celebrated each other for 50 years. Watching the living history of classmates may just be the reminder I need of the value of tradition, of lifelong relationships and the respect I now have for the wonderful Savannah High School Class of ‘62!

Invite Bunny to your gathering, gala or other social event. Contact Bunny at 912-844-1122 or email her at bunnyware@aol.com.